A cast nickel-base superalloy that includes iron added substitutionally for nickel. The cast nickel-base superalloy comprises, in weight percent about 1-6% iron, about 7.5-19.1% cobalt, about 7-22.5% chromium, about 1.2-6.2% aluminum, optionally up to about 5% titanium, optionally up to about 6.5% tantalum, optionally up to about 1% Nb, about 2-6% W, optionally up to about 3% Re, optionally up to about 4% Mo, about 0.05-0.18% C, optionally up to about 0.15% Hf, about 0.004-0.015 B, optionally up to about 0.1% Zr, and the balance Ni and incidental impurities. The superalloy is characterized by a γ′ solvus temperature that is within 5% of the γ′ solvus temperature of the superalloy that does not include 1-6% Fe and a mole fraction of γ′ that is within 15% of the mole fraction of the superalloy that does not include 1-6% Fe.
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1. A cast nickel-base superalloy comprising, in weight percent, about 4-5% Fe, wherein the superalloy is:
a medium γ′ alloy having a nominal composition further including, in weight percent:
(a) 9.5% Co;
14% Cr;
3% Al;
4.9% Ti;
2.8% Ta;
3.8% W;
1.5% Mo;
0.1% C;
0.01% B; and
the balance Ni and incidental impurities; or
(b) 9.5% Co;
14% Cr;
3% Al;
5% Ti;
4% W;
4% Mo;
0.17% C;
0.015 B;
0.03% Zr; and
the balance Ni and incidental impurities; or
(c) 8.5% Co;
16% Cr;
3.45% Al;
3.45% Ti;
up to 1.75% Ta;
up to about 0.85% Nb;
2.6% W;
1.75% Mo;
0.18% C;
0.01% B;
0.01% Zr; and
the balance Ni and incidental impurities; or
a high γ′ alloy having a composition further including, in weight percent:
7.5-8.0% Co;
7-10.5% Cr;
3.5-6.2% Al;
up to about 4% Ti;
4.5-6.8% Ta;
up to 0.6% Nb;
4.6-6.4% W;
up to 3.2% Re;
1.3-1.7% Mo;
0.04-0.06% C;
0.13-0.17% Hf;
0.003-0.005% B; and
the balance Ni and incidental impurities.
2. The superalloy of
3. The superalloy of
4. The superalloy of
5. The superalloy of
6. The superalloy of
8. The superalloy of
about 4-5% Fe;
9.5% Co;
14% Cr;
3% Al;
4.9% Ti;
2.8% Ta;
3.8% W;
1.5% Mo;
0.1% C;
0.01% B; and
the balance Ni and incidental impurities.
9. The superalloy of
10. The superalloy of
about 4-5% Fe;
9.5% Co;
14% Cr;
3% Al;
5% Ti;
4% W;
4% Mo;
0.17% C;
0.015 B;
0.03% Zr; and
the balance Ni and incidental impurities.
11. The superalloy of
12. The superalloy of
about 4-5% Fe;
8.5% Co;
16% Cr;
3.45% Al;
3.45% Ti;
up to 1.75% Ta;
up to about 0.85% Nb;
2.6% W;
1.75% Mo;
0.18% C;
0.01% B;
0.01% Zr; and
the balance Ni and incidental impurities.
13. The superalloy of
14. The superalloy of
16. The superalloy of
about 4-5% Fe;
7.5% Co;
9.75% Cr;
4.2% Al;
3.5% Ti;
4.8% Ta;
0.5% Nb;
6% W;
1.5% Mo;
0.05% C;
0.15% Hf;
0.004% B; and
the balance Ni and incidental impurities.
17. The superalloy of
18. The superalloy of
about 4-5% Fe;
7.5% Co;
7% Cr;
6.2% Al;
6.5% Ta;
5% W;
3% Re;
1.5% Mo;
0.05% C;
0.15% Hf;
0.004% B; and
the balance Ni and incidental impurities.
19. The superalloy of
20. The superalloy of
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This application relates to and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/868,481, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,266,926, filed Apr. 23, 2013, entitled “Cast Nickel-Based Superalloy Including Iron,” the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The present invention relates to a cost-effective nickel-base superalloy that includes a small amount of iron, and more specifically, to a cast nickel-base superalloy including a low weight percentage of iron substituted for nickel for use in turbine airfoil applications.
Components located in the high temperature section of gas turbine engines are typically formed of superalloys, which includes nickel-base superalloys, iron-base superalloys, cobalt-base superalloys and combinations thereof. High temperature sections of the gas turbine engine include the combustor section and the turbine section. In some types of turbine engines, the high temperature section may include the exhaust section. The different hot sections of the engine may experience different conditions requiring the materials comprising the components in the different sections to have different properties. In fact, different components in the same sections may experience different conditions requiring different materials in the different sections.
Turbine buckets or airfoils in the turbine section of the engine are attached to turbine wheels and rotate at very high speeds in the hot exhaust gases of combustion expelled by the turbine section of the engine. These buckets or airfoils must simultaneously be oxidation-resistant and corrosion-resistant, maintaining their microstructure at elevated temperatures of use while maintaining mechanical properties such as creep resistance/stress rupture, strength and ductility. Because these turbine buckets have complex shapes, in order to reduce costs, they should be castable to reduce processing time to work the material as well as machining time to achieve the complex shapes.
Nickel-base superalloys have typically been used to produce components for use in the hot sections of the engine since they can provide the desired properties that satisfy the demanding conditions of the turbine section environment. These nickel-base superalloys have high temperature capabilities, while achieving strength from precipitation strengthening mechanisms which include the development of gamma prime precipitates. The nickel-base superalloys in their cast form are utilized for buckets and currently are made from nickel-base superalloys such as René N4, René N5, which form high volume fractions of gamma prime precipitates when heat treated appropriately, and GTD®-111, Rene 80 and In 738, which form somewhat lower volume fractions of gamma prime precipitates when heat treated appropriately. GTD® is a trademark of General Electric Company, Fairfield, Conn. Other nickel-base superalloys forming even lower volume fractions of gamma prime, such as GTD® 222 and IN 939 are used in lower temperature applications, such as nozzle or exhaust applications.
High weight percentages of nickel add to the cost of nickel-base superalloys because nickel is an expensive material. In addition, nickel is a strategic alloy, being used in many critical industries around the globe. Even though it is a strategic resource, primary sources of nickel are Australia, Canada, New Caledonia and Russia. Currently, there is only one working nickel mine in the United States. So, finding an effective low-cost substitute for nickel is beneficial both from a cost perspective and from a strategic perspective.
What is needed is a low cost substitute for nickel in superalloys, such as nickel-base superalloys. More specifically, for turbine applications, what is needed is a readily available low cost substitute for nickel-base superalloys that can be used without affecting the high temperature mechanical properties of the alloy including such properties as creep/stress rupture, tensile properties as well oxidation resistance, corrosion resistance and castability.
A cast nickel-base superalloy is provided. In its broadest embodiment, the cast nickel-base superalloy comprises, in weight percent about 1-6% iron (Fe), about 7.5-19.1% cobalt (Co), about 7-22.5% chromium (Cr), about 1.2-6.2% aluminum (Al), optionally up to about 5% titanium (Ti), optionally up to about 6.5% tantalum (Ta), optionally up to about 1% Nb, about 2-6% tungsten (W), optionally up to about 3% rhenium (Re), optionally up to about 4% molybdenum (Mo), about 0.05-0.18% carbon (C), optionally up to about 0.15% hafnium (Hf), about 0.004-0.015 boron (B), optionally up to about 0.1% zirconium (Zr), and the balance nickel (Ni) and incidental impurities.
This cast nickel-base superalloy is characterized by the substitution of Fe for Ni in the matrix on a one-for-one atomic basis. However, the iron is added in an amount so as not to negatively impact the important mechanical properties of the cast nickel-base superalloy, the microstructure of the nickel-base superalloy, its oxidation resistance or its corrosion resistance. The substitution of iron for nickel decreases the overall cost of the cast product.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
In a broad embodiment of the present invention, the cast nickel-base superalloy comprises, in weight percent, 1-5% iron (Fe), 7.5-19.1% cobalt (Co), 7-22.5% chromium (Cr), 1.2-6.2% aluminum (Al), up to 5% titanium (Ti), up to 6.5% tantalum (Ta), up to 1% Nb, 2-6% tungsten (W), up to 3% rhenium (Re), up to 4% molybdenum (Mo), 0.05-0.18% carbon (C), up to 0.15% hafnium (Hf), 0.004-0.015 boron (B), up to 0.1% zirconium (Zr), and the balance nickel (Ni) and incidental impurities. However, since Fe is added at the atomic level within the nickel matrix substitutionally to reduce the amount of the strategic element Ni, more than trace amounts of Fe must be added to the alloy in order to reduce the overall cost of the alloy, but not so much Fe should be added to negatively impact the mechanical properties, the corrosion resistance, the oxidation resistance, the castability or the microstructure of the alloy. A preferred amount of Fe is 1-4.5% by weight. Other preferred amounts 1.5-3.5% by weight Fe, and 3-5% by weight Fe. The most preferred amount is within the range of 2-3%.
The nickel-base superalloy including Fe as a Ni substitute should have a gamma prime (γ′) solvus temperature that is no more that 5% less than that of the prior art composition of the alloy without Fe. The alloy also should have a γ′ mole fraction that is no more that 15% less than that of the prior art composition without Fe, and preferably no more that 10% less than that of the prior art composition without Fe. These properties may impact the operating temperature, the strength at temperature, and the creep/rupture resistance at temperature.
The amounts of the various elements included in the alloys set forth herein are expressed in weight percentages, unless otherwise specified. The term “balance essentially Ni” or “balance of the alloy essentially Ni” is used to include, in addition to Ni, small amounts of impurities and other incidental elements, some of which have been described above, that are inherent in cast nickel-base superalloys, which in character and/or amount do not affect the advantageous aspects of the nickel-base superalloy. The amount of precipitates in a precipitation hardenable nickel-base superalloy discussed herein, including beneficial precipitates such as γ′ phase and detrimental precipitates such as Mu, sigma and TCP phases are expressed in mole fractions, unless otherwise specified. As used herein, the nominal composition of an alloy includes the recognized range of compositions of the individual elements comprising the alloy identified in available, well known specifications of the alloy such as AMS, SAE, MIL-Standards, incorporated herein by reference, even though the individual element may be identified as a single representative value usually associated with the mid-point of the compositional range.
Provided below in Table 1 are the nominal compositions of several different types of prior art cast nickel-base superalloys. While these cast nickel-base superalloys have differing compositions, most do not include any Fe. Only In 738 includes Fe, and it is maintained at a nominal level of about 0.5%. Cast nickel-base superalloys have generally been viewed as iron-free, and have been provided in compositions that are substantially free of iron. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that Fe has not been included in greater concentrations as iron has been thought to negatively impact the mechanical properties and oxidation resistance of the nickel-base superalloys.
TABLE 1
Alloy
Ni
Co
Fe
Cr
Al
Ti
Ta
Nb
W
Re
Mo
C
Hf
B
Zr
GTD ®222
bal.
19.1
22.5
1.2
2.3
0.94
0.8
2
0.08
0.004
0.02
IN 939
bal.
19
22.5
1.9
3.7
1.4
1
2
0.15
0.01
0.1
GTD ®111
bal.
9.5
14
3
4.9
2.8
3.8
1.5
0.1
0.01
René 80
bal.
9.5
14
3
5
4
4
0.17
0.015
0.03
IN 738
bal.
8.5
0.5
16
3.45
3.45
1.75
0.85
2.6
1.75
0.18
0.01
0.01
René N4
bal.
7.5
9.75
4.2
3.5
4.8
0.5
6
1.5
0.05
0.15
0.004
René N5
bal.
7.5
7
6.2
6.5
5
3
1.5
0.05
0.15
0.004
While the alloys listed above are all cast nickel-base superalloys, there are variations in composition based on properties, which can dictate usage of the cast product. Thus, for example, GTD®-222 and IN-739 are used for nozzle castings. As used herein, these materials are termed low γ′ alloys. γ′ is a strengthening precipitate that forms when Ni combines with Al and Ti when heat treated properly. Ta, W, Nb and V may be substituted for Ti or Al in forming γ′, although none of the alloys in Table 1 include vanadium.
Nickel-base superalloys that include GTD®-111, René 80 and IN 738 are termed medium γ′ alloys, contain a higher volume fraction of γ′ than low γ′ alloys and are suitable for higher temperature, higher strength and higher creep/stress rupture resistance applications than low γ′ alloys.
Nickel-base superalloys such as René N4 and René N5 that include a high volume fraction of γ′ than either low or medium γ′ alloys, and are suitable for use in the hottest sections of the gas turbine and can withstand the highest stress conditions.
The low γ′ alloys generally are characterized by low weight percentages of Al and Ti (as compared to medium and high γ′ alloys), which combine with Ni to form γ′, Ni3(Al,Ti). γ′ is a precipitate that is formed in the cast nickel-base superalloys that strengthens these alloys, when heat treated properly. The nozzle castings comprised of GTD®-222 and IN-739 are stationary parts not subject to high stresses, creep or stress-rupture, so these low gamma prime alloys have sufficient strength for such uses.
GTD®-111, René 80, IN-738, René N4 and René N5 may be used for turbine blades or turbine buckets and in the combustor section of the gas turbine. (René was the registered trademark, now cancelled, of Allvac Metals Corporation of Monroe, N.C.) These nickel-base materials are medium and high γ′ alloys, and are characterized by higher weight percentages of Al and Ti than both GTD®-222 and IN-939. Al and Ti combine with Ni to form γ′, Ni3(Al,Ti), which is a precipitate that is formed in the cast nickel-base superalloys that strengthens these alloys, when heat treated properly. The turbine buckets or blades rotate at high speeds and are subject to high stresses and high temperatures. Because these buckets or blades are in the flow path of hot gases of combustion, they are also subject to creep and stress-rupture as a result of high rotational speed. In the combustor and early stage turbine sections, (stage 1 and stage 2) temperatures are highest, and gas temperatures may be in excess of 2000° F., although various active cooling schemes and thermal barrier coatings maintain the temperature of the alloy materials at lower temperatures, in the range of 1700-1900° F. In later turbine stages, the gas temperatures decrease and again active cooling schemes and thermal barrier coatings maintain the alloy materials forming the buckets at temperatures lower than the gas temperatures, in the range of 1600-1800° F. Further downstream, for example in the turbine exhaust, gas temperatures are even lower.
Because higher elevated temperature strength as well as resistance to stress rupture is required, low γ′ materials are not suitable for combustor or turbine applications, although they may find use further downstream in the exhaust section of the turbine, also referred to as the nozzle section. Medium and high γ′ strengthened materials provide the additional strength needed for use in the combustor and turbine sections of the turbine engine. Additional Al and/or Ti must be included in the composition of these alloys in order to develop the γ′ that strengthens these alloys, and the nominal compositions of these alloys listed in Table I reflects these increased weight percentages of Al and/or Ti and/or Ta and or W in medium and high γ′ alloys.
Al and Ti increase the volume fraction of γ′ in the superalloy. The strength of the superalloy increase with increasing Al+Ti. Strength also increases with increasing ratio of Al to Ti. Increasing volume fraction of γ′ also increases the creep resistance of the superalloy.
Co is added and is believed to improve the stress and creep-rupture properties of the cast nickel-base superalloy.
Cr increases the oxidation and hot corrosion resistance of the superalloy. Cr is also believed to contribute to solid solution strengthening of the superalloy at high temperature and improved creep-rupture properties in the presence of C.
C contributes to improved creep-rupture properties of cast Ni-base superalloys. The C interacts with Cr, and possibly other elements to form grain boundary carbides.
Ta, W, Mo and Re are higher melting refractory elements that improve creep-rupture resistance. These elements may contribute to solid solution strengthening of the γ matrix that persists to high temperature. Mo and W reduce diffusivity of hardening elements such as Ti, thereby extending the amount of time required for coarsening of γ′, improving high temperature properties such as creep-rupture. Ta and W also may substitute for Ti in the formation of γ′ in certain alloys.
Nb may be included to promote the formation of γ′ and may substitute for Ti in the formation of γ′ in certain alloys as previously noted.
Hf, B and Zr are added in low weight percentages to cast nickel-base superalloys to provide grain boundary strengthening. Boride formation may form in grain boundaries to enhance grain boundary ductility. Zirconium also is believed to segregate to grain boundaries and may help tie up any residual impurities while contributing to ductility. Hafnium contributes to the formation of γ-γ′ eutectic in the cast superalloys, as well as to promotion of grain boundary γ′ which contributes to ductility.
While cast nickel-base superalloys do not utilize Fe in appreciable quantities (IN 738 utilizing 0.5%), the present invention substitutes Fe for Ni on a one-for-one atomic level in the range of from 1%-6% Fe by weight, and preferably 1%-5% Fe by weight. Fe substitutes for Ni in the Ni matrix. Fe has not been used in cast nickel-base superalloys because of concerns that Fe may negatively impact certain mechanical properties of the cast Ni-base superalloys. Because of the high nickel and Cr content of these nickel-base superalloys, Ni+Cr being greater than 65%, and preferably greater than 70%, the substitution of Fe for Ni on a one-for-atomic level up to 5% should not affect the oxidation resistance of the alloy. Fe added at the atomic level within the nickel matrix will substitute for Ni atoms in the face centered cubic (fcc) matrix and will reduce the amount of the strategic element Ni used in the alloy. This will not only reduce the dependence of turbine components on the critical element Ni, but will also serve to reduce material costs of such components when more than trace amounts of Fe are added to the nickel-base alloys.
The amount of Fe that may be added to nickel-base superalloys on a substitutional basis must not negatively impact the mechanical properties for their applications. Oxidation resistance was discussed in the preceding paragraph. Creep strength at a particular temperature of usage generally is related to the amount of γ′ at the temperature of usage, and the temperature of usage also is affected by the γ′ solvus temperature. The γ′ solvus temperature is the temperature at which γ′ begins to solutionize or dissolve in the matrix. The amount of γ′ also is related directly to the strength of the nickel-base superalloy. Castability of the alloy also should not be affected, and castability is related to the liquidus-solidus temperature differential. While the melting temperature is desirably comfortably above the temperature that the component will experience during usage, the freezing range is the difference between the liquidus and solidus temperatures of the alloy, that is the temperature range over which the conversion of molten liquid to solid occurs in an alloy. A large freezing range can adversely affect the castability of an alloy. Although the freezing mechanism is a complex process, freezing occurring over a large range of high temperatures can occur over a longer period of time leading to segregation in the alloy that can result in casting defects, particularly in complex castings, when metal feed can be compromised. In some cases, problems associated with such defects can be corrected but may require redesign of molds, such as investment cast molds. Even when casting defects can be removed, homogenization may be required, which necessitates additional time at elevated temperatures, thereby increasing costs. Generally, a smaller freezing range is preferred, which minimizes segregation and allows for designs in which thin sections can be allowed to freeze first and be fed from larger sections.
The cast Ni-base superalloys of the present invention that includes Fe include a high volume fraction of γ′, like its Fe-free counterpart, although the volume fraction will vary depending on alloy composition, as discussed above. The cast superalloy of the present invention acquires its strength from a substantially uniformly distributed fine γ′. After casting, in order to develop the suitable mechanical properties, the cast alloy must be heat treated. The preferred heat treatment cycle requires solutioning the alloy above its γ′ solvus usually for about 4 hours to dissolve any γ′ formed during the solidification process. This is followed by air cooling and then aging at a temperature below the γ′ to develop fine, uniformly distributed precipitates, usually for one hour at temperature. If desired, the precipitates which are developed may be further aged or coarsened in the temperature range of 1350-1600° F. for a suitable time to provide precipitates of a predetermined size. As
Referring now to
A first preferred composition of the cast nickel-base superalloys of the present invention are low γ′ alloys comprising in weight percent 1-6% Fe, desirably 1-5% Fe, 16-19.1% Co, 20-22.5% Cr, 0.8-2.5% Al, 1.2-4% Ti, 0.75-1.5% Ta, 0.5-1% Nb, 2-3% W, 0.08-0.15% C, 0.004-0.01 B, up to 0.02% Zr, and the balance Ni and incidental impurities. More preferably the alloy includes about 1.5-3.5% Fe and most preferably the alloy includes about 2-3% Fe. The γ′ fraction of such low γ′ alloys of this preferred composition and including Fe at the 5% level comprises from about 0.15-0.33. The γ′ solvus of such low γ′ alloys is in the range of 1795-2015° F. (about 979-1102° C.). The freezing range (liquidus-solvus differential) of such low γ′ alloys is in the range of 152-180° F. (about 84-100° C.). A Sigma phase may form up to 0.07 mole fraction in some low γ′ alloys.
One specific composition of low γ′ nickel-base alloy is GTD®-222, whose nominal composition without Fe is provided in Table 1. In accordance with the present invention, the nominal composition of GTD®-222 may include from 1-5% Fe, preferably about 3-5% Fe, more preferably 1.5-3.5% Fe and most preferably 2-3% Fe. The effect of increasing Fe on the properties of GTD®-222 is set forth in
Another specific composition of low γ′ nickel-base alloy is IN 939, whose nominal composition without Fe is provided in Table 1. In accordance with the present invention, the nominal composition of IN 939 may include from 1-5% Fe, preferably about 3-5% Fe, more preferably 1.5-3.5% Fe and most preferably 2-3% Fe. The effect of increasing Fe on the properties of IN 939 is set forth in
Another preferred composition of the cast nickel-base superalloy of the present invention are medium γ′ alloys broadly comprising, in weight percent 1-6% Fe, desirably 1-5% Fe, 8.5-9.5% Co, 14-16% Cr, 3-3.5% Al, 3.4-5% Ti, up to 2.8% Ta, up to about 0.85% Nb, 2.6-4% W, 1.5-4% Mo, 0.1-0.18% C, 0.01-0.015 B, up to 0.03% Zr, and the balance Ni and incidental impurities. More preferably the alloy includes about 1.5-3.5% Fe and most preferably the alloy includes about 2-3% Fe. The γ′ fraction (in mole fraction) of such medium γ′ alloys of this preferred composition at 1700° F. (about 927° C.) and including Fe at the 5% level comprises from about 0.425-0.455. The γ′ solvus of such medium γ′ alloys is in the range of 2040-2110° F. (about 1116-1154° C.). The freezing range (liquidus-solvus differential) of such medium γ′ alloys is in the range of 90-100° F. (about 50-56° C.). Even with 5% Fe, the medium γ′ alloys are substantially free of the Mu phase, although up to 0.01 mole fraction of TCP phases may form in some of these alloys at 5% Fe. In other alloys, TCP phases do not form until significantly higher percentages of Fe are added.
One specific composition of medium γ′ nickel-base alloy is GTD®-111, whose nominal composition without Fe is provided in Table 1. In accordance with the present invention, the nominal composition of GTD®-111 may additionally include from 1-5% Fe, preferably about 3-5% Fe, more preferably 1.5-3.5% Fe and most preferably 2-3% Fe. The effect of increasing Fe on the properties of GTD®-111 is set forth in
Another specific composition of medium γ′ nickel-base alloy is Rene 80, whose nominal composition without Fe is provided in Table 1. In accordance with the present invention, the nominal composition of Rene 80 may additionally include from 1-5% Fe, preferably about 3-5% Fe, more preferably 1.5-3.5% Fe and most preferably 2-3% Fe. The effect of increasing Fe on the properties of Rene 80 is set forth in
Still another specific composition of medium γ′ nickel-base alloy is IN 738, whose nominal composition is provided in Table 1. It should be noted that the prior art nominal composition of IN 738 already permits up to 0.5% Fe. The present invention contemplates that IN 738 nominally may include additional Fe, from 1-5% Fe, preferably about 3-5% Fe, more preferably 1.5-3.5% Fe and most preferably 2-3% Fe. The effect of increasing Fe on the properties of IN 738 is set forth in
Another preferred composition of the cast nickel-base superalloy of the present invention are high γ′ alloys broadly comprising, in weight percent 1-6% Fe, desirably 1-5% Fe, 7.0-8.0% Co, 6.5-10.5% Cr, 3.5-6.5% Al, up to about 4% Ti, 4.5-6.8% Ta, up to 0.6% Nb, 4.6-6.4% W, up to 3.2% Re, 1.3-1.7% Mo, 0.04-0.06% C, 0.13-0.17% Hf, 0.003-0.005% B, and the balance Ni and incidental impurities. More preferably the alloy includes about 1.5-3.5% Fe and most preferably the alloy includes about 2-3% Fe. The γ′ fraction (in mole fraction) of such high gamma prime alloys of this preferred composition at 1800° F. (about 982° C.) and including Fe at the 5% level is greater than 0.5 mole fraction, preferably comprising from about 0.52-0.59 mole fraction. The γ′ solvus of such high γ′ alloys is in the range of 2135-2285° F. (about 1168-1252° C.). The freezing range (liquidus-solvus differential) of such high γ′ alloys is in the range of 105-115° F. (about 58-64° C.). TCP phases may present more of a problem with high γ′ superalloys than with low and medium γ′ superalloys with increasing Fe content, as these alloys appear more susceptible to formation of TCP phases. At 1800° F., these alloys desirably form less than 0.03 mole fraction, and preferably less than 0.025 mole fraction TCP phases at 5% iron content, with TCP phases increasing with increasing Fe content.
One specific composition of high γ′ nickel-base alloy is Rene N4, whose nominal composition without Fe is provided in Table 1. In accordance with the present invention, the nominal composition of Rene N4 may additionally include from 1-5% Fe, preferably about 3-5% Fe, more preferably 1.5-3.5% Fe and most preferably 2-3% Fe. The effect of increasing Fe on the properties of Rene N4 is set forth in
Another specific composition of high γ′ nickel-base alloy is René N5, whose nominal composition without Fe is provided in Table 1. In accordance with the present invention, the nominal composition of Rend N5 may additionally include from 1-5% Fe, preferably about 3-5% Fe, more preferably 1.5-3.5% Fe and most preferably 2-3% Fe. The effect of increasing Fe on the properties of Rend N5 is set forth in
While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Schaeffer, Jon Conrad, Arnett, Michael Douglas, Feng, Ganjiang
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